Memories of Madeira
Itinerary
Days 1-4 – Food & Funchal
Begin your journey through Madeira in the peaceful city of Funchal. Allow the relaxed island atmosphere to wash over you, before you venture out to explore more of the island. From the airport you can take a taxi to your apartment situated in a quiet part of the old town, within walking distance to terraces and traditional Madeiran restaurants. Explore Funchal’s Portuguese architecture, narrow streets lined with colourful buildings and its many squares and terraces. In the arty district around Rua de Santa Maria you will find the artist’s project ‘Arte de puertas abiertas‘. Visit the museum of local footballing hero, Cristiano Ronaldo, and marvel at the array of different fruits at Mercado das Lavradores (farmers market), before having lunch at one of the small lunchrooms in the old town and tasting the popular alcoholic drink, poncha, made from cane sugar and lemon.
The following day you’ll head out further afield and learn that in addition to the old town and the modern part of Funchal, there is also a lot more for you to discover. You can take a cable car to the famous Funchal Botanical Gardens that look out over the city, the sea, the mountains and the banana plantations. A little further inland is a great national park that is a mecca for outdoor activities, such as canyoning, or off the coast you can watch whales or swim with dolphins all year round.
Days 4-7 – Cliffs and rivers of Santana
Today you’ll pick up your rental car. After signing the contract and receiving a full briefing, you can set off on the open road and drive from Funchal to the North Coast. The journey time is approx. 1 hour. Arrive at your hotel nestled in the middle of nature with a sea view on one side and mountains behind. This is the perfect base in the north-east of the island, near Santana, to be close to the variety that Madeira has to offer. You now have a few days to learn the benefits of staying in the middle of this area of the levadas (old irrigation canals)….it is the hiking mecca of Madeira. In less than half an hour you can drive to Ribeiro Frio, the starting point of several hiking trails in the area, one of which is to the Los Balcoes viewing platform. Alternatively, head to the Sao Lourenco peninsula with its dramatic cliff-lined coast making it one of the best walks in the area. For something more extreme, there’s mountain biking, canyoning or coasteering or spend half a day learning to surf.
Days 7-10 – Sunset on the south coast
Today you’ll drive from the North Coast to the South Coast, the journey should take around half an hour. Arrive on the south coast of Madeira, where you’ll find the most hours of sunshine on the island. Do as the banana, mango and papaya trees do and head here for the sun and water. Once you’ve checked into your traditional quinta, you can switch off and laze by the pool overlooking the sea and soak up the sun.
Now you have a few days free to decide how you spend your time. Take the chance to enjoy the swimming pool a little more, read that book you’ve always wanted to read, check out the nearby restaurants with sea views. Settle down on a terrace and order the local dish, “Espata com banana”. If you feel like exploring the surroundings of Ponta do Sol, then the trails are there to be explored. Alternatively, you can head to the glass viewing platform and skywalk at Cabo Girao or find mountain biking, canyoning and coasteering only 20 minutes’ drive from your hotel. There’s also some culture here to be discovered, with sleepy fishing villages and churches dotted all around.
On your final day you’ll drive from the South Coast back to Funchal, the journey should take around half an hour. When you get there, you’ll drop off your hire car at the airport and board your flight back to the UK, with hundreds of beautiful pictures and an unforgettable experience.
Accommodation
